MERIDIAN —
What is on track to be one of the deadliest tornado seasons in U.S. history has created a bit of a gold rush for storm shelters.
The images of homes being wiped off their foundation slabs and hearing the tragic stories of lives lost has made people fearful that the next big twister may be coming their way.
And the hurricane season hasn't really begun yet.
At seven locations in Lauderdale County, storm shelters are being delivered. David Sharp, director of the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency, said these shelters were part of a FEMA grant awarded late last year. He said the shelters are just now arriving after the order was placed.
"These are above ground models that meet FEMA 320 specifications," Sharp says. "They are primarily for use by the department personnel whenever a severe weather event is bearing down on them."
The shelters were delivered to each of the three Bailey Volunteer Fire and Rescue departments located on Pine Springs Road, Highway 493, and Highway 495. Northeast, Russell and Clarkdale, along with Metro Ambulance in Meridian, each received a shelter as well. Sharp said all of the volunteer departments were given the choice to get a shelter but most did not citing budget constraints.
"Each unit costs about $5,000 but the direct cost to the departments would have been around $300 once the paperwork was processed," Sharp says.
The manufacturer of the units is Safe Sheds from Salem, Illionois. Safe Sheds, Inc. was founded in 2002 as a source for affordable personal storm protection suitable for residential and commercial use.
There are two sizes, an 8'x10' unit with 6'-8" inside height and a 6'x6' unit with 6' inside clearance. Both units use a monolithic (no joint) construction for added strength and durability. The monolithic construction means there are no seams or joints permitting the internal rebar to be continuous through all corners. Safe Sheds are designed to withstand 250 mph wind gusts typical of an EF-5 tornado. The 8'x10' model weighs 24,000 lbs. while the 6'x6' model weighs 11,000 lbs. Their construction consists of concrete and steel rebar reinforcement.
"All of the units we are getting are the larger units," says Sharp. "They will hold about sixteen people."
Sharp says he has fielded calls from homeowners who have or are considering putting similar storm shelters at their homes. Their biggest question concerns whether there is a program to help homeowners reduce their costs of buying and then installing the units.
"We have not been allocated any funding from FEMA or anyone else for that sort of thing right now so if you are going to build or buy a storm shelter, there isn't any reimbursement money available. You're on your own."
Sharp says if and when the funding is allocated, a media release will be sent out to inform the public.
Local News
Related Photos
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Workers with Safe Sheds Inc., hook up a trailer carrying one of the storm shelters that have been placed at different volunteer fire departments in Lauderdale County.
Discussion
Safe Sheds provide shelter from the storm
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